| > | | | | will neveragain have a negative thought? No such |
| *Article Use Guidelines* | | | | luck. I still havenegative thoughts, and it's hard not to |
| Use in opt-in publications, or on Web sites, but please | | | | be trapped within suchthoughts. However, I'm |
| includethe resource box. If you could send a copy to | | | | learning to get off the negativitytreadmill. |
| me at emailaddress: mailto: , I appreciate it. Many | | | | Your cards can help you get positive |
| thanks. | | | | Try this "Negative to Positive" process. You use your |
| ** | | | | cards faceup. Here's how: |
| Summary: Eliminate the destructive habit of negative | | | | 1. Sort through your deck until you find a card which |
| thinkingwith a simple tool --- a deck of Tarot cards. | | | | portraysyour current situation. For example, let's say |
| Total words: 750 | | | | you have somemoney worries. If you're using the |
| Category: Motivation | | | | Universal deck, or the Rider- |
| Are You Too Negative? Positive thinking with Tarot | | | | Waite, you might choose the 5 of Pentacles. |
| cards | | | | 2. Now look through the deck again, until you find a |
| Copyright (c) 2002 by Angela Booth | | | | card whichshows a scene where your money worries |
| Note: this article assumes that you own a deck of | | | | are solved. Perhaps youpicked the 10 of Pentacles. A |
| Tarot cards,and have some elementary knowledge | | | | much more cheerful card! |
| of how they're used as a self-help tool. If you don't | | | | 3. Put the 5 of Pentacles on the left, and the 10 of |
| own a Tarot deck, this article mayinspire you to | | | | Pentacles onthe right, in a straight line. Leave some |
| discover yourself in the cards. You can buy a deckat | | | | space between the twocards. |
| any large book store, or from | | | | 4. Now it's time to daydream a little. Pick out several |
| The problem with negative thinking is that we accept | | | | morecards, perhaps two or three, showing a |
| our negativethoughts as reality. We don't realize that | | | | progression from themisery of the 5 of Pentacles, to |
| the thoughts aredistortions. I was a classic negative | | | | the security of the 10 of |
| thinker: to me the glasswas not merely half empty, it | | | | Pentacles. Choose whichever cards you please. |
| was also chipped. I called mynegativity "being | | | | 5. Lay the cards out in a straight line. |
| realistic". | | | | 6. If you have a little time, you could write a short |
| Tarot helps me to see the positive. Because, no | | | | story,based on the cards, of what could happen to |
| matter how blackthings look, there is always a | | | | you to take you fromthe 5 to the 10. The story can |
| positive. | | | | be as fantastic (in the fantasysense) as you please. |
| If you've seen the Tom Hanks movie, "Cast Away", | | | | 7. Or, make a sketch of the 10 of Pentacles, which |
| you rememberthat Tom Hanks is Chuck, the only | | | | you can carrywith you as a good luck charm. |
| survivor of a plane crash whogets marooned on a | | | | 8. OK --- you've spent 20 minutes or more with the |
| deserted tropical island. After years ofsolitary | | | | cards. Do youstill feel negative? I'm sure your mood |
| hardship, Chuck almost gives in to despair and | | | | has shifted. |
| commitssuicide, but he tells himself to "keep | | | | Positive energy from the cards |
| breathing". | | | | Look through your deck, and choose the cards which |
| Finally a piece of wreckage washes onto the island. | | | | you find mostpositive from the major arcana. You |
| Chuckcreatively fashions it into the sail of a raft. | | | | might choose 19 the Sun, 7the Chariot, and 21 the |
| Later in themovie, Chuck says you should keep | | | | World. |
| breathing because "you neverknow what will wash in | | | | Put one of the cards on the desk in front of you. |
| on the tide". "Keep breathing" is the curefor negative | | | | Close your eyesand do some slow, deep breathing |
| thinking. You truly don't know what will happennext. | | | | for a few minutes until you'recompletely relaxed. |
| A thought is just a thought | | | | Open your eyes, and look at the card. Pick it up and |
| We negative thinkers tend to worship our thoughts. | | | | hold it. Youmay be able to feel a subtle energy. This |
| It takes us along time to realize we're not our | | | | is the energy of thecard, as it exists in you. |
| thoughts. Our thoughts comeand go. If we don't cling | | | | Try the same process with the other two cards. Is |
| to them, or follow them, they fade awayand are | | | | there adifference in the energy? How does the |
| replaced by new thoughts, pleasanter ones. | | | | energy of one card differfrom another? |
| Meditationhelps with this. | | | | Next time you have a black mood, pick out one of |
| Over time, when we can watch our thoughts come | | | | your 'positive'cards, and just relax with it for a few |
| and go withoutbecoming enmeshed in them, we can | | | | moments. You'll feel yourmood change. |
| (occasionally) recognize anegative thought. For me, | | | | ***Resource box: if using, please include*** |
| being able to label a thought | | | | Interested in running your business creatively? |
| 'negative' was a major achievement. | | | | Visit Digtial-e --- Info to go! |
| Does this mean that I've won the battle and that I | | | | |